Jol told the board he wanted Sir Alex Ferguson’s former coach at Manchester United, to bulk up his backroom team, as the club had suffered a poor start to the campaign – and that had left him under mounting pressure from fans .

And the board agreed that Meulensteen, 49, had the credentials to move the club in the right direction.

Talks are being held with the coach as club chairman Shahid Khan prepares to give Jol his backing.

And after yesterday’s 1-0 win over Stoke, the Dutchman could even arrive at Craven Cottage within the next 48 hours.

Last night Jol said: “It was of unbelievable importance to get this win.

“I can come up with excuses saying the players believe in me, but if we don’t get points we all have the same depression.”